Seabiscuit

An American Legend (Abridged Edition)

By: Laura Hillenbrand

Narrated by: Campbell Scott

Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Please note: This is the abridged edition. An unabridged edition is also available.

Number-one New York Times best seller

From the author of the runaway phenomenon Unbroken comes a universal underdog story about the horse who came out of nowhere to become a legend.

Seabiscuit was one of the most electrifying and popular attractions in sports history and the single biggest newsmaker in the world in 1938, receiving more coverage than FDR, Hitler, or Mussolini. But his success was a surprise to the racing establishment, which had written off the crooked-legged racehorse with the sad tail. Three men changed Seabiscuit’s fortunes:

Charles Howard was a onetime bicycle repairman who introduced the automobile to the western United States and became an overnight millionaire. When he needed a trainer for his new racehorses, he hired Tom Smith, a mysterious mustang breaker from the Colorado plains. Smith urged Howard to buy Seabiscuit for a bargain-basement price, then hired as his jockey Red Pollard, a failed boxer who was blind in one eye, half-crippled, and prone to quoting passages from Ralph Waldo Emerson. Over four years, these unlikely partners survived a phenomenal run of bad fortune, conspiracy, and severe injury to transform Seabiscuit from a neurotic, pathologically indolent also-ran into an American sports icon.

“Fascinating.... Vivid.... A first-rate piece of storytelling, leaving us not only with a vivid portrait of a horse but a fascinating slice of American history as well.” (The New York Times)

“Engrossing.... Fast-moving.... More than just a horse’s tale, because the humans who owned, trained, and rode Seabiscuit are equally fascinating.... [Laura Hillenbrand] shows an extraordinary talent for describing a horse race so vividly that the reader feels like the rider.” (Sports Illustrated)

“Remarkable.... Memorable.... Just as compelling today as it was in 1938.” (The Washington Post)

©2001 Laura Hillenbrand (P)2001 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

Book Sense Book of the Year Award Winner, Adult Non-Fiction, 2002

"Campbell Scott never overplays a line, never misses a pause, never fails to punch an ending. This is a treat for the ear, an education for the mind, and a meal for the soul." (AudioFile)

“Fascinating... Vivid... A first-rate piece of storytelling, leaving us not only with a vivid portrait of a horse but a fascinating slice of American history as well.” (The New York Times)

“Engrossing... Fast-moving... More than just a horse’s tale, because the humans who owned, trained, and rode Seabiscuit are equally fascinating.... [Hillenbrand] shows an extraordinary talent for describing a horse race so vividly that the reader feels like the rider.” (Sports Illustrated)

“Remarkable... Memorable... Just as compelling today as it was in 1938.” (The Washington Post)

Abridged

The best. This makes driving a pleasure.

Great story and skillful writer

I resisted this book for a long time as the topic didn't interest me. Once I started it, though, it grabbed me and I couldn't stop listening. Hillebrand is an excellent writer; she strings together the story from several viewpoints without tangling them, and builds up each incident to the most suspenseful peak before revealing its denouement. The story of horse and men (owner, trainer and jockey) would capture the reader's heart, even in the hands of a lesser writer. But I'm very happy to report that the story of independent, courageous, glorious Seabiscuit and the people who loved and trained him found its way into the hands of a writer who could make it soar. The narrator submerges his personality totally to the benefit of the story, so you sometimes are startled to realize that you're not really watching the story unfold, but hearing it read to you. All in all, a seamlessly written, engrossing listen.

Excellent!

The best so far, narration was wonderful, just as if you were at the Kentucky Derby. Story was told very well,recommended audiobook for horse lovers and others in between. Great for young adults also,would love for my teenage granddaughter to read

Very good, but feels abridged

Excellent, entertaining story. At times it is uplifting, and sad, and suspenseful, and historical. My only negative comment regards the abridgement--sometimes you feel the gaps in the story, and you long for the unabridged version.

great book for commuting or a long drive

If you are looking for a great way to pass the time during a long commute or a drive across country, look no further than Seabuscuit. I don't usually enjoy my 26-mile commute but lately I've been looking forward to the drive to work so that I can listen to Seabuscuit. The author's prose jumps off the pages like a horse bursting out of a starting gate. Plenty of interesting details and twists and turns will keep you coming back for more. Definitely a good read.

Just a Great Story--Abridged or Not

This is a wonderful story and I'm glad I listened even if it's only "30%" of the original. I may buy the book and I'll definitely see the movie. If nothing else, this version of the book makes me want to learn more which is the purpose of non-fiction, isn't it?

Not good at all

The narrator puts me to sleep and makes me want to drown myself. The book overall is one of the most boring book I’ve ever read. If you have to read this for school. May god be with you.

Want to see the movie

Good book, good reader.

Seabiscuit the book was a

Frankly I enjoyed the movie (seen after I listened to the book) more; how many races can one hear described in detail without losing interest? For once, I think an abridged version would have been an improvement for listeners, if not readers. jg

So-so

I didn't think the book really lived up to the hype. It's a great all-american sports story, and a does a good job of transporting the reader to depression-era america. Probably because I'm not a huge sports or horse-racing fan, I found the subject a bit boring after a while. The plot seems a rehash of any of the Rocky movies: so-and-so champ overcomes untold adversity with guts and heart. In all the narration of the races, is there ever a doubt that the biscuit would pull through and win? Stil a good romp none the less.